Friday, February 25, 2011

Little Boy's Tool Belt

I've been doing way too much stuff for my girls lately and my boys were feeling left out. It's time for a boy project!

I don't know about your boys, but mine like to help their dad with stuff. Grown up tool belts just don't fit boys. I was able to just grab stuff I already had on hand to make this belt. Canvas, upholstery vinyl, and seam tape is all it takes.

1. Cut your canvas into two rectangles, one measuring 13.25"x15" and one 5.25"x15". Cut a strip of leather or vinyl 15"x2".

2. Finish one long end on the big rectangle with some sort of 5/8th inch hem that won't unravel. I did a simple rolled hem. Use whatever method works for you. Fold the other long edge down 5/8th of an inch as well, but do not sew.

3. Finish one long edge of the small rectangle with a 5/8th inch hem and fold over the other long edge 5/8th of an inch but don't sew, exactly like you did the long edges of the large rectangle.

4. Lay the pocket across the big rectangle, placing it right side up on a right side up bottom piece. The bottom of the pocket should be about 3.5" from the bottom edge. Sew down.

5. Finish edge of bag with seam tape. You can do another method but seam tape gives a nice finished look without extra bulk.

6. Fold over the top of the bag to the back about 2" creating a casing for the belt to go through. Sew down close to edge.

7. Place vinyl strip across bottom of the bag. Sew at sides and at different points along the vinyl creating loops for hammers, measuring tapes, and pliers. (See photo.)

8. Find an old belt under your son's bed or in the bottom of the closet (if your son's room is anything like my sons' room) and run the belt through the casing.

The bag is ready to go. This one is super quick to make and basically free if you've got the canvas or denim in your stash. It would be easy to use recycled denim for something like this as well. If you don't have leather or vinyl for the hammer loop strap, you can make a strap with more denim or canvas. Just make it a double thickness so it's strong enough to support a hammer.

Yeah, it was a little sexist to say "boys" tool belt. I use my tool belt as often as my husband uses his. I was just trying to find a craft the boys would like as much as all the girl stuff I've been making lately. Shhhhh . . . when you make one your girl likes don't tell her the pattern said "boy." ;)